Clarrie Grimmett was born on December 25, 1891, in Dunedin. However, he went on to play for Australia and became the first leg-spinner to use the flipper and dumbfound the batsmen. He was al...Full profile

Clarrie Grimmett was born on December 25, 1891, in Dunedin. However, he went on to play for Australia and became the first leg-spinner to use the flipper and dumbfound the batsmen. He was also known for forming a fine partnership with Bill O'Reilly.

Intriguingly, Grimmett wanted to become a fast bowler, but after a certain period of time, decided to bowl leg-spinners. Grimmett then migrated to Australia and soon started to play club cricket in Sydney.

He gradually worked his way through the ranks and played his first game in the Sheffield Shield for Victoria against New South Wales in 1919. However, he was a late bloomer and played for Australia only at the age of 34. But he made up for the lost time by taking a 11-for in his first Test against England.

He was a thorn in the flesh of every Test side he played against. However, the two sides, who fared miserably against him were the West Indies and South Africa. Both had relatively inexperienced batsman and they found it difficult to read the flipper.

Grimmett is certainly remembered for discovering the flipper. By bowling it of the front of the hand, he troubled every batsmen going around. There is a story going around that Grimmett used the flipper so much that once while facing up to him, Bradman had said in a light-hearted manner that he had forgotten the leg-spinner.

He played his last series against South Africa in 1935. O'Reilly, his spin partner, had once alleged that it was Bradman, who prematurely ended Grimmett's career.